The training hall was wide open, lined with racks of weapons and dummies cut to ribbons from years of use. Reed walked in behind Hale, letting the older man set the pace. Hale's presence alone was enough to straighten the rookies where they stood, four in a line at attention.
Reed slowed, hands in his pockets, scanning them. Four shadows-to-be. He had to bite back a grin at how stiff they looked, shoulders locked like someone had rammed broomsticks down their spines, he briefly remembered his first mission assignment, he had stood exactly the same way.
Hale's voice rang steady. "Hunter Reed, these are your charges. Their numbers, their endurance, their limits. Listen well."
The first in line was a girl with wavy hair and nervous hands. She tried to stand tall, but her eyes darted everywhere except his face. When she finally risked looking at him, her lips pressed together, then parted in a small school girl smile before blushing away unable to hold his gaze.
Hale read: "Arianna Vega. Shadow endurance, three minutes forty-one seconds. Mastered raven form, unstable under pressure. Excels at Shadow manipulation. Uses close range weapons to supplement when constructs collapse."
Reed nodded once. Arianna's face brightened immediately. She'd no doubt take that tiny acknowledgement home like a trophy.
Next was a lanky boy who looked like he'd been told all his life to shrink smaller. His knuckles were pale where his fists clenched.
"Ethan Ross. Endurance, two minutes fifty-nine seconds. Snake form, venom weak but reliable. Manipulation limited to whip constructs for now. Primary specialty is shadow agility. Low physical benchmarks but compensates with speed."
Ethan swallowed hard, gaze locked on the ground. Reed's first instinct was that the boy might fold in a fight, but he held his judgment. Sometimes the jumpy ones lasted longest.
Then came the third. Broader shoulders, jaw tight, but his eyes lifted and held Reed's without flinching.
"Daniel Cho. Endurance, three minutes eighteen seconds. Fox form. Manipulation decent but for now limited to wall and tether constructs. Tactical close range combatant, favors fists or daggers."
Daniel gave a sharp nod. Reed saw the pride beneath the nerves. Good. Confidence, even a little forced, went a long way.
And then the last one.
She didn't need an introduction. Even before Hale said her name, Reed knew who she was. The way she stood with her chin tilted, like she was daring the air itself to oppose her—Mia Hale.
Hale's tone softened only slightly. "Mia Hale. Endurance, five minutes twelve seconds. Mastered feline form. Manipulation focused on blades and arrows. Excellent in close quarters and excellent in long range combat. Adaptive fighter."
Mia broke formation, stepping half a pace forward. "That's not current."
The other rookies stiffened like she'd just drawn a blade in church. Ethan looked ready to faint.
Hale's jaw tightened. "Mia—"
She cut him a glance, then turned deliberately to Reed. "I've pushed past that. I've mastered another form."
Reed raised a brow. His tone was mild, almost amused. "Another form, huh? That's ambitious. What is it?"
Her lips curved in the faintest smirk. "Jaguar."
Hale exhaled through his nose, tight and embarrassed, but Reed waved it off. "Relax. If she says she has, let her prove it."
Mia drew a breath, and her body unraveled into black smoke.
Reed shook his head and took of his jacket.
The mass surged outward, lengthening, reshaping with violent precision. A jaguar took shape from the black, paws slamming against the ground, shoulders rolling with predatory power. Its head whipped toward Reed like it could smell challenge in the air.
The rookies froze, wide-eyed.
For a moment, it was impressive.
Then the form buckled. The beast's flanks rippled and collapsed, its body collapsing inward like smoke pulled by wind. The jaguar's snarl cut off into a soundless gasp as Mia was forced back into human shape.
Naked.
The rookies reacted how rookies always did, Ethan nearly tripped over himself looking away, Arianna covered her mouth, Daniel clenched his jaw but couldn't tear his gaze.
Reed didn't flinch at the expected display. He'd already peeled his jacket from his shoulders, tossing it at her the instant she reformed. She caught it against her chest with a snap of irritation, shadow-slid to her gear, and re-dressed with practiced efficiency.
When she stood again, she didn't look shamed. Her chin was high, her mouth hard, as if daring anyone to comment.
Reed smiled at the stubborn beauty, "Two seconds. Stronger than I expected. But next time, learn the stamina curve before you play with big cats."
Mia's eyes met his, burning with that sharp, stubborn spark, but she even though it looked like it killed her internally she still said.
"Yes Hunter Reed"